No warranty on anything, but I don't see a reason why it shouldn't work.

emCORE and Rockbox don't rely on any special data on the HDD (unlike the
apple firmware, which relies on a firmware partition being present). You
will of course have to install Rockbox again after that (i.e. unpack the
.rockbox directory, or copy it over from the old HDD).

Both also support LBA48, which is neccessary for 160GB anyway, so they
should work with drives up to 16 TB (MBR partitioning limit).

$30 for an used iPod 5.5g + $120 for upgrading to a 240GB HDD = $150 Rockboxed iPod (with wolfson and 240GB). Maybe another $5 for a new battery.

This is as good as you can get with the least cost.

Except that if you don't DIYMod it or get it iModded, I don't see the point. Wolfson DAC or not, unmodded, it's craptastic, to my ears at least. Any Sony Walkman beats 5.5G iPods. So the cost of DIYModding (parts/tools) or iMod (RWA) need to be factored in.

The point of 6 & 7G lager capacity modding is compatibility with the CLAS & HP-P1 iDAC solutions. Earlier models are unfortunately not compatible

Except that if you don't DIYMod it or get it iModded, I don't see the point. Wolfson DAC or not, unmodded, it's craptastic, to my ears at least. Any Sony Walkman beats 5.5G iPods. So the cost of DIYModding (parts/tools) or iMod (RWA) need to be factored in.

The point of 6 & 7G lager capacity modding is compatibility with the CLAS & HP-P1 iDAC solutions. Earlier models are unfortunately not compatible

That's why I said "This is as good as you can get with the least cost." If you spend more you may or may not get improved sound - depending on how much more you will spend, your taste for the sound sig and synergy. I read some people didn't notice sound improvement with the imod'ed ipod.

All true. And besides which a HDD is not going to take kindly to skiing and mountain biking. And further, why should we have to fool with ANYTHING (especially a CLAS or HP1, $$$ better spent elsewhere) when Apple and Android should just eliminate customer abuse and give us usb audio to begin with?!?!

Any idea where I can find someone who sells the ipod 5.5 and is able to upgrade to a 240gb hdd?

I recently bought a 120GB HDD off ebay for $80 and replaced the old 30GB of my iPod 5g. Everything works like a charm with the rockbox installed. I was little concerned about the possible lag before the upgrade but there is absolutely no lag whatsoever. I can't be more happy about upgrading the HDD. The 120GB is decent for me and I have loaded 90% so far.

You can buy an used and working ipod 5.5g off craiglist for a very cheap price. I recently bought a working 5.5g off craiglist for $30 as a backup. Most people selling the 5g/5.5g just want to unload the old pods without knowing the inside beauty (wolfson). Alternatively you can also buy the 5.5g from ebay. If you want to take a chance, buy the broken ones hopefully with only failed HDD and you will replace the HDD anyway.

The 240GB HDD's are available from ebay and here is one. Please note the 5g/5.5g 30GB model needs new and thicker back plate if you decide to go with the 240GB HDD. The seller in that link actually includes this new back plate for the upgrade.

You can't hear the inner beauty unless modded. I really don't get the attraction stock. Never heard a Hi-MD MiniDisc Walkman playing LPCM? Night and day difference. I won't talk about other Sony Walkmans, flash or HDD since I don't have much experience with them, just a couple of auditions.

You can't hear the inner beauty unless modded. I really don't get the attraction stock. Never heard a Hi-MD MiniDisc Walkman playing LPCM? Night and day difference. I won't talk about other Sony Walkmans, flash or HDD since I don't have much experience with them, just a couple of auditions.

I even read some people who modded their ipods reported no or little sound difference. Maybe they modded their ipods incorrectly?

You can't hear the inner beauty unless modded. I really don't get the attraction stock. Never heard a Hi-MD MiniDisc Walkman playing LPCM? Night and day difference. I won't talk about other Sony Walkmans, flash or HDD since I don't have much experience with them, just a couple of auditions.

I even read some people who modded their iPods reported no or little sound difference. Maybe they modded their iPods incorrectly?

Either that or they were using the headphone output... Or they really just can't hear it. Which is fair enough.